‘Blair Witch’ co-producer speaks here Oct. 20

The talk, free and open to the public, is sponsored by St. Thomas’ University Lectures Committee. No tickets or reservations are required. Seating will be on a first-come basis, and doors to the auditorium will open at 6:45 p.m.

A reception will follow the talk in the Rogge-Leyden Room of Murray-Herrick Campus Center, which is located next door to the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center.

“The Blair Witch Project” was shot on a shoestring budget in fall 1997. One of the most successful independent films in history, it took in $48 million during its first week of release this past July. The film is scheduled for release on video Friday, Oct. 22.

Monello will discuss the truths and myths behind “The Blair Witch Project,” stories about the making of the movie and how it was promoted via the Web, and how he became a producer.

A native of Florida, Monello earned a bachelor’s degree in motion picture technology from the University of Central Florida where he edited “Gabriel’s Dream” with Eduardo Sanchez, one of the “Blair Witch” editors. Over the next five years Monello took on several roles, including program director, at the Florida Film Festival. He also produced festival trailers with local filmmakers and edited shorts, documentaries and commercial projects. He is finishing work on a feature-length script, “Tunnels,” and developing several projects with Haxan Films.

For more information on Monello’s talk, call St. Thomas Activities and Recreation at (651) 962-6136.